Mouse Research Suggests Sugar Might Affect Memory

Research from the University of Oregon suggests that more sugar in your diet could affect memory and cognition. In fact, how the gut processes foods we eat has a substantial impact on how our brain works. With the help of mice, researchers compared three different diets in relation to task performance. These diets were either high sugar, high fat, or balanced.

Within just a few weeks there were differences in how successful the mice were at accomplishing specific tasks. Why did this happen? Part of the explanation lies in how the intestines break down nutrients from the foods we eat. There is a particular balance of bacteria, the microbiome, that keep the digestive processes humming along. When this balance is disturbed cognitive problems can occur.

After only 4 weeks of a high sugar intake, the mice showed difficulties in cognitive flexibility, and in fact the results from this study suggest that sugar grows bacteria that interferes with brain function.

Read more about the brain-gut connection at www.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/33233286-75/oregon-state-university-researcher-kathy-magnusson-probes-the-rodent-gut.html.csp